What does it mean?

1. After concluding with hope, how does Paul start his farewell?

2. In verse 22, what is the reason why he has been hindered from coming to Rome?

3. Why does Paul now perceive an opportunity to visit Rome?

4. Why is Paul not going to go directly? What task is Paul focused on prior to their visit?

5. What does Paul hope to accomplish while in Rome?

6. What’s the connection between spiritual and material blessings?

7. Why are the gentile Christians pleased to contribute to Jerusalem?

8. What does Paul mean by the ‘fullness of the blessing of Christ’?

9. What is Paul appealing for? Why does Paul write this section?

How does it apply?

1. Have you ever participated in blessing someone spiritual via your material blessings?

2. Seeing how Paul’s calling plays out in his travel plans?  How well do our plans correspond to what we feel God has called us to?  As a church?  As a Life Group?  As individuals?

3. What are some examples of ways we’ve enjoyed supporting each other (lodging, money, prayer, refreshed in company) as a Life Group? In what ways can we continue to support each other for our joy?

4. What’s the value of face to face ministry as opposed to being virtual (text, email, phone etc.)?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 05-20-2012

As Paul begins his wrap-up of Romans, he makes some comments about how God was working in his own life that bolsters our confidence about how God is working in ours.

• We are capable of spiritually encouraging one another.

• We all have room to grow.

• We know God is working through each of us.

• We have one ultimate ambition, to promote Jesus, wherever we are.

Download Powerpoint: 05-13-12

What does it mean?

1. What emotions does Paul hope to evoke in the reader at Rome with verse 14?

2. Why does Paul care about this?

3. In verse 14, what is the cause of Paul’s satisfaction?

4. If Paul is so satisfied with His brothers why does he remind them ‘very boldly’?

5. What’s the cause of Paul’s boldness?

6. From verses 15 and 16, what does God’s grace produce in Paul?

7. What is the Gospel of God?

8. Why is Paul telling the church of Rome that he’s proud of his work?

9. In verse 18, why does Paul choose the word ‘obedience’ rather than faith?

10. In verse 19, what has Holy Spirit done? Roles/results

11. What’s the significance of Paul quoting Isaiah 52?

12. Summarizing verses 15, 18, and 20 – what is Paul’s purpose/driving force of preaching?

How does it apply?

1. Do we have a vision for our own lives that’s as clear as Paul’s?

2. Are you encouraged with your goodness/knowledge and ability to instruct?

3. Is there someone you know who has an ambition to preach the Gospel?  How/or has it inspired you?

4. What reasons do you have to Glory in Christ? Anything specific this past week?

5. What ways are you ministering to the people around you?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 05-13-2012

• Spiritual Parenting taught by Shelby Rommelfanger
  This study is good for new and experienced moms – a fresh, innovative, Biblical take on parenting can be applied at any stage of the parenting journey!
• Grasping God‘s Word  taught by Stephanie Dunnam & Y Bonesteele
  Develop a firm grasp of God’s word by learning the practical skills of observing, interpreting, and applying Scripture to your life.  We will be working through the book of Colossians.

Cost for both studies is $20, and childcare is provided. Studies will be held Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:30 am, June 21st – August 2nd (not meeting July 19th due to Summer Adventure). For more detailed information on either study, visit the Women’s Ministry page at www.richfieldcc.org. Sign-up on the patio Sunday mornings beginning May 20th.  Hope to see you there!

As Paul ends the body of this letter, he summarizes in a brief prayer the essence of the experience of every true follower of Jesus  – We are people who are overflowing with hope.

God provides us substantial, lasting, life transforming hope because…

• God himself is the source of hope.
• God is truthful and always fulfills all His promises.
• God gives us the Holy Spirit.

Download PowerPoint: 05-06-12

What does it mean?

1. What was the big idea from verses 1-7?

2. Who is the “you” in verse 8?

3. Why is it important that God’s promises to the circumcised (the Jews) be fulfilled?

4. As God does ‘confirm the promises He made to the patriarchs,” what impact might that have on the Jews?  What’s the impact on the Gentiles?

5. Why does Paul quote 2 Samuel 22:50, Deuteronomy 32:43, and Psalm 117:1 essentially saying the same thing?

6. What do these Old Testament passages say to the Jews about the Gentiles?  What’s Paul’s point?  Is there a progression in the quotes?

7. Describe the connection between Joy, Peace, and Believing.  Who is Paul praying for?  What is Paul praying for?

8. What does it mean to abound in hope?

 How does it apply?

1. Has there ever been a time when you have doubted God’s trustworthiness?  What restored/deepened your trust?

2. Have you ever seen someone trusting God in circumstances that you imagine would be beyond your ability to continue to trust?  What did this do for your faith?

3. Has your faith this week been a source of encouragement to others, maybe giving them cause to praise God?

4. What are some of the things we can do to increase our belief quotient/faith?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 05-06-2012

Romans 15:1-7

Authentic Christian love is absolutely stunning.  Paul writes in order to make it less rare.  He wants us to understand that those of us loved by God, who have Jesus’ love flowing through us, happily, and radically love others.

• Loving one another:  We happily forfeit our freedoms.
• Loving one another:  Jesus is our example.
• Loving one another:  Scripture will encourage us, if we use it.
• Loving one another:  God will empower us, if we ask.
• Loving one another:  Produces an inspiring harmony.
• Loving one another:  God’s design for displaying his glory.

Download Powerpoint: 04-29-12

What does it mean?

1. How has Paul described who the strong are in this context?  Who are the weak, and what are their failings?

2. In what sense do the strong have an “obligation” to bear with the weak?

3. Why does Paul reference Christ in this context?

4. When Paul refers to Scripture, what specifically is he referencing?  Why does he quote Psalm 69 (15:3)?  How does Paul believe Scripture will provide hope?

5. Why do you think Paul tells the Roman Christians what he prays for them?

6. Why would we need “endurance” and “encouragement”?

7. What do you think Paul envisions when he writes about the church living in “harmony”, that with “one voice” they will glorify God?

8. When Paul tells us to “welcome” one another, what do you think he means by “welcome”?

9. How is living in harmony and with one voice connected to glorifying God?

10. According to Paul, how is our welcoming others related to glorifying God?

How does it apply?

1. Can you recall a time when a Christian brother or sister yielded their freedom for you?  What happened?

2. As you have worked through Romans 14 and 15, do you more often feel like the stronger or the weaker brother/sister?  Explain.

3. Have there ever been times you have not felt welcome in the context of the church family?

4. Have there ever been times when you were unwelcoming to a brother/sister in Christ?

5. Have there been times when you have felt despised or judged by a fellow believer?  How did you respond?

6. Have there been times when you have been challenged to acquiesce to a weaker believer?  How did you feel?  How did you respond?

7. How would our church look if we more thoroughly lived out the love that Paul is describing?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 04-29-2012

The way we LOVE each other in regards to non-essential things is an ESSENTIAL issue to Paul.  Paul’s heart for the Church of Rome is that they might be a LOVING, joy-filled community of faith, which builds righteousness, peace and joy.  This is the work of God.  Paul makes it painfully clear that we play a key role in building or destroying this work.

The work of God:

We, who are a part of His work, are:

• Building
• Blessed

Our contribution to the work is….

• Destroying
• Building

What does it mean?

1. What’s the big idea of 14:13-19?

2. What/who is Paul referring to by the “work of God”?

3. What does Paul mean by destroy? How does one do this?

4. How does verse 15 differ from verse 20?

5. Why is everything “clean” in verse 20?

6. So why would the reader not eat meat/wine if it is clean?

7. Why does Paul transition from horizontal relationship to personal relationship in verse 22?

8. What are the things the reader “approves” according to verse 22?

9. Why is the brother who doesn’t pass judgment blessed?

10. What does Paul mean by condemn? Verse 23. Does this differ from destruction (vs 15/vs 23)

11.  What’s the Big Idea of chapter 14?

How does it apply?

1. In light of chapter 14, how important are our actions/convictions about our opinions?

2. What’s the impact of our actions/convictions on the body of Christ?

3. Have you ever been proud about an action that displayed faith? How does this jive with verse 22?

4. Has anyone’s faith ever blessed you?

5. How do you develop your convictions?

6. How does one move from a weaker position to a stronger position?

7. Over the past three years of your life how have your convictions grown?

Download Questions: LifeGroup 04-22-2012

Paul is making it clear, loving other believers is the overwhelming value and expression that flows from our experience of being loved by God.  In today’s text, Paul shows us precisely how God’s love gets lived out through us.

Never being a stumbling block is a commitment we followers of Jesus gladly make:

Never being a stumbling block is complicated:

Never being a stumbling block is a big deal:

Never being a stumbling block reveals the authenticity of our faith:

Download Powerpoint: 04-15-12

What does it mean?

1. Start with the big idea of 14:1-12.  What is it?

2. What is Paul referring back to in the “therefore” of verse 13?

3. What is the significance of the word “decide” in v. 13?  Why not just, “Don’t put a stumbling block…”

4. What is the stumbling block/hindrance that Paul is speaking?

5. What is the connection between the judgment in v. 13 and destruction in v. 15?

6. Identify the commands that Paul gives in these seven verses.

7. Verse 15 contains two parallel statements, how does Paul more fully explain what he means by  “grieved”?

8. What exactly is the ‘serving Christ’ that Paul writes ‘is acceptable to God’?

9. What is Paul’s argument to encourage us to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding?

How does it apply?

1. Have you ever intentionally put a stumbling block or hindrance in front of a brother?

2. Has anyone ever been a stumbling block for you?

3. How important is ‘genuine love’?

4. Describe the impact this kind of ‘genuine love’ might have on the church, on families, on those yet to believe?

5. How might we respond once we realize that we have stumbled over someone’s actions, or caused someone to stumble by our actions?

6. Which possibility would be harder for you to address?  Why?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 04-15-2012

John 11:1-44

Jesus interacts with Martha and Mary in way designed to more fully reveal who He is, so that they, and we, might enjoy the life that is found only in Him.

1. Jesus loves them in a way that causes them to question his love.

2. Jesus states the truth of who He is.

• Jesus is life.
• Jesus gives life.

3. Jesus authenticates who He is

• Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
• Jesus rises from the dead.

Paul insists we welcome, we warmly embrace, brothers and sisters whose expressions of faith might be radically different from our own.  Paul uses 3 substantial arguments to demonstrate why this is absolutely essential.

1. Because God has welcomed them (1-4)

2. Because diverse expressions actually please God when a believer’s motive is to glorify Him. (5-9)

3. Because those who judge others will be judged by God.   (10-12)

Download PowerPoint: 04-01-12

What does it mean?

1. What does Paul mean by “pass judgment” in verse 10a?

2. What’s the difference between “passing judgment” and “despising”?  What is the significance of carrying that distinction from v.3?

3. What’s the significance of Paul’s use of ‘brother’?

4. What’s the connection between v. 4 and v. 10c in regards to ‘standing’ before the Judgment Seat?

5. Why does Paul quote Isaiah 45?

6. What does Paul mean, in vs. 12, by “give an account”?

7. How would you summarize vs. 11-12?

How does it apply?

1. What are the things we are going to give an account for?

2. Think of a time when you were judged.  How did that affect you?

3. What are the things that motivate you to show love to a brother/sister?  Has an awareness of God’s ultimate judgment ever been one of those?

4. If you are willing, describe a situation where you elevated yourself to God’s position and passed judgment on a brother/sister?

5. What does it say about our view of God when we judge?  What does it say about our view of ourselves?

Download the discussion questions LifeGroup 04-01-2012

Everyone wants to know what we are ‘supposed’ to do; ie: the ‘rules of faith’.  The challenge with Paul is that it’s not primarily about what we DO but more importantly who we ARE.  He challenges us to live with strong convictions, loving our brothers who differ, recognizing that we can DO opposite actions and both be glorifying God.

WHY do we warmly embrace these brothers?

–Because God does

–Because their Passion is to Glorify God

Download PowerPoint: 03-25-12

What does it mean?

1. What was the Big Idea of 14:1-4?

2. Why would someone esteem a day as better than another?  Or choose to eat food vs. abstaining from certain foods?

3. What does it mean to be fully convinced in one’s own mind?

4. Is there a significance to Paul’s repetition of “in honor of the Lord”?

5. Why does Paul go from food and days and jump to something as significant as life and death?

6. What does it mean to “live to the Lord”?

7. What does it mean to “die to the Lord”?

8. How is Christ both the Lord of the “dead and the living”?  Why is this significant?

How does it apply?

1. How do we know what the “small stuff” is that we shouldn’t sweat about vs. the big stuff that God and Paul take seriously?

2. Are there issues in your life that you are NOT fully convinced of?  Why aren’t you?  According to Paul, should we be?

3. What are the things/issues in your life that you ARE fully convinced of that others disagree with you on?  Has this ever caused a conflict for you with someone in the family of God?

4. How do you remain fully convinced of your opinions without becoming like the Pharisees—judgmental and hypocritical, and yet still love/welcome the other believer with differing opinions? What does this tangibly look like in your life or in today’s culture?

5. Have you ever caught yourself ‘judging’ your brother or sister from across the pew?  What does this say about OUR Faith?

6. Are there currently areas in your life that we aren’t living to the Lord?  How would Paul encourage us to deal with them?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 03-25-2012

Romans 14:1-4

In chapters 12-16 Paul makes it unmistakably clear that the primary expression of receiving God’s love through faith in Christ is His love inevitably flowing out of us into others.  In our text for today Paul continues to develop that truth by beginning to lay out specific, foundational principles that will guide us to love one another as God intends.

6 Principles of Loving Others:

1. Receive warmly those who differ.

2. Refuse to fight over the small stuff.

3. Steer clear of looking down on the less mature.

4. Avoid like the plague judging others.

5. Let God be God.

6. Bask in God’s grace, and let others do the same.

Download the Powerpoint 03-18-12powerpoint

1. How would you paraphrase the big idea/ideas of Romans chapters 12-13?

2. How would summarize what Paul said in 13:11-14?

3. How does Paul describe the person who is “weak” in faith?  What is their view of food?

4. Though never called the “strong” in faith, how are they described?  What is their view of food?

5. The weak in faith are to be “welcomed” by the others.  What does Paul mean by “welcome”?

6. There is not supposed to be quarreling over “opinions”.  What does he mean by “opinions”?

7. The meat eaters are not supposed to despise those who abstain.  Why would they be tempted to despise them?

8. The abstainers are told not to judge the meat eaters, what do you think Paul means by “judge”?   What’s the difference between “despising” and “judging”?

9. Why are the abstainers not to judge the eaters?

10. How would you summarize what Paul is saying in verse 4?

11. In one sentence, paraphrase 14:1-4.

How does it apply?

1. Have you ever felt like other Christians were feeling superior to you?  What happened?

2. Have you ever felt like you didn’t quite measure up to other Christians?  Explain.

3. Have you ever felt like you were a little better than other believers?  Explain.

4. Are there certain practices that some Christians participate in that seem inappropriate?  Explain.

5. When some Christians participate in certain practices that appear inappropriate, what do you do?

6. In your experience in church have you primarily felt loved and accepted, or like you don’t quite measure up?  Explain.

7. What has helped you from comparing yourself with other believers, either from feeling like you don’t measure up, or from feeling as though they don’t measure up?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 03-18-2012

Romans 13:11-14

The sun has risen, we are in the light. Paul wants to make sure that we live like it.  He is concerned that we might be needlessly and foolishly stumbling around in the darkness, unaware that we are still in the darkness when we can and should be enjoying all the advantages that inevitably accompany living in the light.

1.  Why we live in the light of day.

• Because the day is here.
• Because Jesus’ return is closer than it used to be.

2.  What it looks like when we live in the light of day.

• We gladly eliminate expressions of darkness.
• We enthusiastically embrace habits of light.

Download Powerpoint: 03-11-12

Love is the unmistakable, inevitable expression of those who trust Christ, who have experienced the life giving, life transforming power of the love of God.

• Love is a debt we joyfully keep paying all of our lives.
• Love never harms anyone, only encourages them.
• Love fulfills the law of God.

Download the powerpoint: 03-4-12

1. How would you describe the flow of chapter 13, what is the “this” of verse 11?

2. What is the time/hour Paul’s talking about?

3. What does Paul mean by “sleep”?

4. Why does Paul switch from “you” to “we” in verse 11a-11b?

5. How does Paul define “salvation”?

6. Why does Paul use the analogy of night and day? Explain.

7. What are works of darkness vs. armor of light?

8. What is the “armor” of light?  How does one “put this on”?

9. What does Paul mean by “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ?

How does it apply?

1. When did you first discover that (Just “not doing”) v. 13 is not enough?

2. How have you seen others “put on” Jesus practically?

3. In everyday terms, how do you cast off/put on?

4. In light of other passages in Romans (e.g. chapter 6:11; 8:5, 15; 12:1-2), how would Paul want us to start this? What would this look like?

5. What are you filling your mind with?

6. What’s the connection between thinking and doing? What do you do differently because salvation is near?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 03-11-2012

• Kids Karavan: Trekkers and Hikers are enjoying a unit called “God Made Families”.  Travelers and Trailblazers continue to “travel” with Paul and meet the friends he made on his journeys.
• Expedition: Children in 1st – 6th grades begin their morning in A101 (the room below the Fellowship Hall).  The current unit “Standing Tall” is about Elijah and Elisha.
• 5th and 6th graders meet first service with all elementary grades and attend a workshop.  During second service, they meet together as “Route 56” in the Worship building, C302.

Romans 13:8-10
What does it mean?

1. Summarize the flow of ideas from 12:9-13 to 12:14-21 to 13:1-7.

2. How do you explain the transition from v.7 to v.8?  Pay to all what you ‘owe’ them…and then…’owe’ no one anything.

3. Why does Paul distinguish love from respect/honor?

4. How and why do we owe love to others?

5. In what sense is Paul saying that love equals law fulfillment? Explain.

6. Why does Paul contrast Governing Authorities and their laws (13:1-7) vs. God’s commandments (13:8-10)?

7. What is the significance of Paul’s use of the “shall not” commands from Exodus and the “shall” command of Jesus?

8. What does Paul mean by “neighbor” in v.10?

9. How important is keeping the law?  According to Paul, how do we do that?  Is Paul now advocating salvation by works?

How does it apply?

1. As Christians, when do we tend to focus on the “do’s” and “do-nots” of the faith?

2. If you’ve ever focused solely on the “do’s” and “do-nots”, how has that worked for you?

3. In what ways are you currently being stretched to be a more loving person?

4. Who are “the neighbors” who are currently the recipients of your love or lack thereof?

5. f genuine love is the evidence of our being transformed by the renewing of our minds, does this standard encourage or discourage you?

6. How do we respond when the evidence is plentiful, how do we respond when the evidence is sparse?

Download questions: LifeGroup 03-04-201

Romans 13:1-7

Flowing directly from Paul’s direction to make sure our love is genuine, in our relationships with one another, even extending to our enemies, he now tells us to submit to civil authorities.  He gives us four reasons:

• We submit because God has put civil authorities in place.
  • We submit because God has put civil authorities in place for our good.
  • We submit because God has put civil authorities in place and if we don’t we will be punished.

We submit because God has put civil authorities in place and our submission confirms we understand and believe it.

Download powerpoint: 02-19-12

What does it mean?

1. How would you summarize Chapter 12?  What about 12:17-21 specifically?

2. In 13:1, what does Paul mean by “be subject to…”?

3. Who are the “Authorities” Paul want us to think about?

4. Why does Paul use the word “resist” three times in v.2?

5. What is good conduct vs. bad conduct?

6. Describe the picture of government you get from 13:4?

7. What does it mean to “bear the sword”?

8. What does Paul mean by “for the sake of conscience” in v.5?

9. What is Paul referring to by the “this” in v.6: “because of this”?

10.  In what way is Paul saying that authorities are “ministers of God”?

11.  How would you summarize verse 7?

12.  What is Paul trying to communicate about the relationship between believers and the government?

How does it apply?

1. How have you viewed your relationship with authorities?  Does this differ at all from Paul’s view?

2. What is the result of living a life viewing authorities the way Paul describes?

3. Have you ever resisted (or wanted to resistJ) authority inappropriately?  What does this say about the state of our faith in those moments?

4. Has there ever been a time in your life where you’ve felt you needed to resist authority? Explain.

5. How are you living out v. 7?  How might you this week?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 02-19-2012

Romans 12:14-21 (17-21)

Paul tells us we are to overcome evil with good by loving others even when they mistreat us.  How in the world are we supposed to do that?  Is it even possible?

1. We are to genuinely love others even when they mistreat us.

2. We are empowered by God to love others even when they mistreat us.

3. We overcome evil by loving others when they mistreat us.

Download PowerPoint: 01-22-12

1. How do the big ideas of 12:1-8 flow into 12:9-21?

2. What’s the big idea of 12:9-13?

3. How would you paraphrase 12:14-16?

4. When Paul says, “pay no one evil or evil”, who is “no one”?  Be precise.

5. What does Paul mean by doing “what is honorable before all”?

6. Why is Paul’s objective in 12:18 that we live “peaceably” with all?  What happened to the greater expectation of harmony (12:16)?

7. We aren’t supposed to avenge ourselves, but let God take care of it.  How does this motivate us to love our enemies?

8. How do we “heap burning coals” on the head of those we love?

9. How do you think Paul expects that good overcomes evil?

10. How would you summarize 12:17-21?

11. How would you summarize 12:9-21?

How does it apply?

1. When someone mistreats you, how do you typically respond?

2. Why do you think it is so difficult for us to respond with love to those who mistreat us?

3. Recount a time when you mistreated someone else and they responded with love towards you?

4. Where do we find the power to love others when we don’t love us?

5. When someone mistreats you, and you don’t respond with love, how do you end up feeling?

6. Can you think of a time where you witnessed good (love) overcome evil?  What happened?

7. How would our church be different if we could learn to love more thoroughly than we do?

8. What would the Church’s reputation in the world be if we could learn to love more thoroughly than we do?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 02-12-2012

Romans 12:14-16

Flowing out of 12:9-13 Paul continues to challenge and encourage us to live, as transformed thinkers (v.2), a life of genuine love (v.9).  As believers, we know that nothing can separate us from God’s love (ch. and that he can be trusted (ch.9-11) and continually has our best interest in mind.  This transformed thinking motivates and compels us to think AND act differently towards all people; even those who wish us harm.  The reality is this: because God has our best interest in mind, we have the best of others in mind and action.

Transformed thinkers:

1.) live lives which pursue the good of people who pursue our bad

2.) show supernatural empathy and compassion to all

3.) understand themselves accurately, as a servant, and honors Gods children

This all manifests itself in the bride of Christ living HARMONIOUSLY for our good and His glory.

1. How would you summarize Romans 12:1-2 and 3-8?

2. How would you describe the connection between 12:1-8 and 9-13?

3. In verse 14, what does Paul mean by “bless”?

4. Why does Paul contrast blessing with cursing?

5. What can we infer about the cause of the rejoicing and the weeping?

6. What does it mean to live in “harmony” with one another?

7. What does it mean, in this context, to be “haughty”?

8. Who/what is Paul referring to by “the lowly”?

9. What does it mean to be “wise in your own sight”?

How does it apply?

1. Have you ever seen someone blessing their persecutor?  What were the results?

2. Why does Paul even tell us to be empathetic (v.15)?  Doesn’t this seem pretty natural/simple?

3. What is harder for you: to celebrate with someone in a joyous time OR to mourn with someone in the midst of trials?

4. In what ways have you lived in harmony this past year with other believers?  In what ways have you not?

5. Who/what are the lowly ‘people’ or ‘tasks’ in your life that you may be tempted to avoid?  Why do we do that?

6. In what ways do we still need our minds renewed as it relates to our view of self and our view of others?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 02-05-2012

Drew Sodestrom – January 29, 2012

Romans 12:9-13

Paul continues to articulate what Authentic Faith looks like by giving us a description of Genuine Love.  This is not intended to be a list that we manufacture but rather the manifestation of faith—it is literally the evidence of a life being transformed by the Love of God in Christ (5:8).  This is the supernatural life of love, which we have all experienced and Paul has described in chapters 1-11.

Love is Primary

1. Love recognizes and rewards others
2. Love cures our lazy
3. Love promotes confidence in trials
4. Love “puts privacy in its place”

1. How would you connect 12:3-8 to 9-13?

2. In the context of 12:3-8, what does Paul mean by “love” and what makes it genuine?

3. Again, in this context, what evil is Paul encouraging us to abhor/hate?

4. Paul qualifies the love we ought to show in v.10 with “brotherly affection.”  What does this mean?

5. What does Paul mean when he writes to outdo each other in “showing honor”?

6. If slothful means lazy and zeal means passion—what would it look like to be passionate, but lazy?

7. What does Paul mean by being “fervent in spirit”?

8. Is there any significance to the ordering in verse 12?  Why does Paul start with hope then move to tribulation and prayer?

9. Why would believers contribute to the needs of the saints?

10.  Why does Paul say “seek” to show hospitality?  Why not just “show hospitality”?

11.  What’s so important about our money (contribute) and our homes (hospitality)?

How does it apply?

1. Have you ever experienced genuine love?  What did it look like?  Feel like?

2. Have you experienced an increase in your ability to love other believers in the past 3 years?  How have you seen this?

3. How has your understanding of Romans 1-11 and God’s love prevented you from becoming “lazy in your zeal”?

4. When was the last opportunity you had to experience “patience in tribulation”?   Were you patient?  Why?

5. In what ways have you benefited from the love of the brethren in “contribution” or ”hospitality’?

6. How might we be able to love others with our “wallets and homes”?  Individually and even as a Life Group together?

Download questions: LifeGroup 01-29-2012

Romans 12:3-8
How do we, those whose lives are founded in our experience of God’s mercy, whose minds are being renewed, how do we think?

• I’m not as important as I once thought.   Think Humbly.
• We don’t have an overinflated view of ourselves.
• We think seriously about who we are in Christ.
• We use faith as the standard against which we assess who we are.
• I’m not as self-sufficient as I once thought.  Think Community.
• We are part of a community that lives in unity in Christ.
• We are each individuals, with functions and gifts that differ.
• We belong to one another.
• We each use our gifts.

1. How would you summarize 12:1-2?

2. Why does Paul refer to the “grace given” to him?

3. Why is thinking with “sober judgment” contrasted with thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought?

4. What does is mean to think with “sober judgment”?

5. What does Paul mean by “measure of faith”?  How does it relate to our thinking soberly?

6. Why does Paul talk about our being “one body”?

7. Is there significance to our being one body “in Christ”?  Explain.

8. What does he mean that we are “individually members of one another”?

9. Why does he tell us we have different gifts?

10. Why do you think Paul lists these gifts?  Are they exhaustive?

11. What do you think Paul hopes we will understand after reading 12:3-8?

12.  How do you think Paul hopes we will respond after reading 12:3-8?

13. How would you paraphrase 12:3-8?

How does it apply?

1. Are there situations where you still struggle with pride?  How do you know?

2. What have you found has increased your genuine humility?

3. Has your growing understanding of Romans 1-11 increased your humility?  Explain.

4. How has being part of the community of faith encouraged your faith, your life?

5. Have you been disappointed or hurt by being a part of the church family?  (Be careful, no gossiping here)  How did you respond?

6. What gift(s) has God given you?

7. How are you using your gift(s)?

8. How do you feel when you use your gift(s)?

Download the questions:  LifeGroup 01-22-2012

Romans 12:1-2

What is the key to our living differently?  Thinking.  Thinking rightly.  Thinking rightly about God.

• Thinking and acting like we did before should not be.
• Thinking more rightly about God is the means of our ongoing transformation.
• Thinking more rightly enables us to know how to live in a way that pleases God.

Download PowerPoint: 01-15-12

Why I hate Religion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

1. Paul in 12:1-2 is transitioning from chapters 1-11 to 12:3-16.  How would you summarize the big idea of chapters 1-11?  Chapters. 12-16?

2. How would you paraphrase 12:1?  How would you summarize the big idea of 12:1?

3. What does Paul mean when he tells us to “not be conformed to this world”?  How are we to not “conform”?

4. Paul says we are to be “transformed”.  What is this transformation?

5. What does it mean that our minds are renewed?  Renewed from what?

6. How does the renewing of our minds bring about “transformation”?

7. Paul says that by “testing” we will know the will of God.  Testing what?  What kind of testing?

8. He says we will “discern the will of God…”, about what?

9. How would you paraphrase 12:2?

10. How does 12:2 connect in thought to 12:1?

11. How would you summarize 12:1-2?

How does it apply?

1. In the past, how have you attempted to live a life that more fully reflected your being God’s child (obedience)?  Did that approach work in changing your behaviors long term?  Explain.

2. How has your thinking about God changed the most in the last 2 years?

3. How have your feelings about God changed as your thinking has changed?

4. How have your behaviors changed as your thinking about God has changed?

5. What strategies for bringing about ongoing spiritual growth and transformation have you tried that have not worked?

6. What have you found to be most effective in bringing about ongoing spiritual growth and transformation in your life?

7. In what area of your life, right now, do you desire to experience increasing transformation?

8. In what area of your life have you enjoyed the most spiritual transformation?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 01-15-2012

Romans 12:1-2 (1)

We are moving from Paul’s thorough description of genuine faith (1-11) to how that faith gets expressed (12-15).  Paul transitions in a way to make it clear, that the only attitudes and actions that please God are those rooted in our experience of His mercy.

• Our experience of God’s mercies is the foundation of our expression.
• Everything we think and do is to be an expression of God’s mercies.
• Authentically expressing our experience of God’s mercies is how we worship God.

Download PowerPoint: 01-08-12

1. How would you summarize the major ideas of Romans chapters 1-11?

2. How would you paraphrase 11:33-36?

3. What’s the significance of the “therefore”?

4. Why do you think Paul “appeals” to them?

5. When Paul references “the mercies of God”, what is he referring to?

6. What does Paul mean by “a living sacrifice”?  What is that?

7. How do we present our bodies as a living sacrifice?

8. In what sense is our “living sacrifice” “holy”? “acceptable to God”?

9. What is “spiritual worship”?  Why doesn’t Paul simply say, ‘worship”?

10. How would you paraphrase Paul’s thought in 12:1 without using any of the words he uses?

How does it apply?

1. How have you best come to understand God’s mercy?  Experience God’s mercy?

2. How has your understanding and experience of God’s mercy grown?

3. In what area of your life is your faith in Christ most easily lived out?  Why?

4. In what area of your life do you feel like your faith in Christ gets lived out the least?  Why?

5. How do you view your lifestyle as related to your worship?

6. What do you believe would help you more thoroughly live out your understanding and experience of God’s mercy?

7. Who do you know that thoroughly and authentically expresses their faith in the way they live?  What impact does that have on your faith?

Download the questions: LifeGroup 01-08-2012

For Freedom
Keith Gove

Download Powerpoint: 01-1-12

Pop Quiz
How do you define Stable?
a.) adj: firmly established, permanent, enduring–not changing or fluctuating
b.) n: building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed
c.) n: a group of people under one management
d.) all of the above

A Stable Experience

A Stable Influence